In the aftermath of the Orlando massacre — and at a time when political discourse seems impossibly polarized — it’s nice to hear about a few elementary school students who believe “kindness rocks.”
Literally.
Visitors to Compo Beach recently noticed a pile of colorful rocks. Looking closely, they see that each bears a message: “Happiness.” “Love.” “Hope.” “Be yourself.”
A sign near the rocks urges anyone to take home a rock that they like — and perhaps create one of their own, to leave it for others to find.
“Take one, leave one, give one!” the sign says. “Kindness is contagious!”
The “Kindness Rocks Project” is the brainchild of Greens Farms Elementary School teachers Karen Frawley and Michelle DeCarlo. They run a group called Long Neck Leaders — 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who get to school early twice a month, and come up with ideas to make a difference. Last year, they created a schoolwide “Patches Plunge” and raised $6,000 for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
Karen heard about the Kindness Project — meant to promote “random acts of kindness and inspiration to unsuspecting recipients” — and pitched it to the kids. They loved it.
Long Neck Leaders (from left) Michelle DeCarlo, 4th grader Arthur Skatoff and Karen Frawley.
Sure, it’s a little thing.
But isn’t it nice to read this, rather than another story about another mass murder?
And wouldn’t it be nice if we followed these elementary school students’ lead?
(Hat tip: Suzanne Sherman Propp)
